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courtyard

American  
[kawrt-yahrd, kohrt-] / ˈkɔrtˌyɑrd, ˈkoʊrt- /

noun

  1. a court open to the sky, especially one enclosed on all four sides.


courtyard British  
/ ˈkɔːtˌjɑːd /

noun

  1. an open area of ground surrounded by walls or buildings; court

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of courtyard

First recorded in 1545–55; court + yard 2